Easel



Jan. 12, 1965 c. F. OVERTON ETAL 3,165,290

EASEL.

Filed March 14, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 INVENTORS 044F155 E OVEKTO/VZAh/Ff/l/CE A/OOK iQwkW Jam 1965 c. F. OVERTON ETAL 3,165,290

EASEL.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 14, 1963 3,1652% Patented Jan. 12, 1965United States Patent Gfiice EASEL Charles F. Overton and Lawrence J.Nook, South Haven,

Mich.,"assignors to S. E. Overton Company, South This invention relatesto an easel back for a picture frame, and more particularly to a jointconnection between the back plate and the prop of an easel back.

Construction of presently available easel backs is characterized bybulkiness of the prop and prop connection, lack of design simplicity foraesthetic appeal, little or no versatility of use, and the presence oftiny parts which are difiicult to use and expensive to manufacture.Those having a pivotal prop allowing 90 rotation of the prop forhorizontal or vertical positioning, ordinarily involve undesirablepaperboard joints, complex frame backs, unstable bendable wire supports,or delicate, tiny hinge parts. Those providing a removable prop toenable wall hanging of the easel as an alternate to table propping,involve delicate hinge structure with a removable hinge pin which isreadily lost, and difficult to remove and replace, or readily breakablewire connectors to be bent for removal or attachment.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an easel backhaving complete versatility of positioning, either horizontally orvertically using the prop, or horizontally or vertically without theprop, having structural simplicity, inexpensive manufacturingcharacteristics, and no small, delicate hinge parts or pins todisassemble and become lost. The prop is quickly and readily removablefrom the back plate for wall hanging, to thus not interfere and causethe frame to protrude in an unsightly manner from the wall. Anotherobject of this invention is to provide a prop htat is readily snappedoff the back plate, and just as quickly snapped back on with a smallforce, to remove it or replace it as needed, without removing or addingany additional or special parts. The prop can be pivoted outwardly fromthe plate as with conventional structures. It can be rotated also. Nopaperboard joints are used or needed. No bendable wire elements areemployed.

It is another object of this invention to provide an easel back propjoint formed of only two sturdy stampings of sheet metal which can beassembled or disassembled in a fraction of a second, are relativelyinexpensive to manufacture, and are extremely versatile in use. Thejoint is free of accidental disassembly even though it readilydisassembles when desired. These and several other objects of thisinvention will be apparent upon studying the following specification inconjunction with the-drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an easel back on a frame, showingthe novel joint connection between the prop and the back plate, with theprop extended;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the easel back, including prop andback plate, with the prop shown collapsed;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus in FIG. 1showing the act of assembly, i.e., connection of the two hinge linksaffixed respectively to the frame and the prop,

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the two connecting hinge links;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an assembled frame and easel back,showing the elongated frame positioned vertically, and supported by theextended prop; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the frame positioned horizontally withthe prop being rotated 90 and extended.

Basically, the inventive easel back for a picture frame includes a backplate, a prop, and a pivotal, separable connection therebetween. Theconnection includes a first link or swivel plate affixed to the backplate, having its upper edge portion protruding away from the plate,curving arcuately back toward the plate, and terminating short thereofto form an elongated concave bearing surface towards the plate, and asecond link or cliphaving one leg afiixed to the prop and a second legbent back and having a pair of convex elongated arcuate surfaces towardsthe prop, with an intermediate concave surface. The first link ispivotally mounted on the back plate for rotation.

Other detailed features will be specifically explained with respect tothe drawings, wherein the complete picture frame assembly 10 comprises asuitable frame 11 of conventional type adapted to retain a photograph orother picture (not shown) in its front face, and an easel back includinga back plate 12 of covered cardboard or the like to retain the picturein the frame and serve as a mounting surface for the prop, a prop 14,and a separable joint connection between the prop and back plate. Theback plate may be slidably fitted within the flanges 15 on three sidesof the frame, or attached in some other suitable manner.

The connection is formed between a first link or swivel plate 16 ofsheet metal pivotally afiixed to the back of the frame, and a secondlink or clip 18 of sheet metal having one leg affixed to prop 14. Theswivel plate 16 is attached to the back of the back plate by a singlerivet 20 or equivalent connector extending through the drilled opening22 (FIG. .4) in the swivel plate 16, and a corresponding orifice in backplate 12. Consequently, the swivel plate, and the entirejoint and prop,may be rotated with respect to frame 11 and its back plate 12. Thisenables the frame to be positioned horizontally as in FIG. 6 orvertically as in FIG. 5, merely by a simple rotation of the prop and thelinks with respect to the frame.

For hanging purposes, one or two eyelets 60 and 62 for vertical orhorizontal hanging may be attached to the back plate.

- The bottom peripheral edge of swivel plate 16 may include a rollededge 26 to form a strengthening bead. The upper portion of the swivelplate projects outwardly and away from the frame. Its upper edgeterminates short of the frame to leave a gap. The upper portion of theplate forms a horizontally-elongated, concave, bearing surface 30 whichresembles an arcuate portion of a cylinder. The surface 30 cooperateswith a convex bearing surface on clip 18 as explained in detailhereinafter.

Adjacent the base of the protruding portion 29 of swivel plate 16, is anelongated central opening or cutout 32 which extends a substantialdistance from the flat area of the plate around an arcuate portion ofthe curved area 29. This slot receives the terminal portion of thesecond leg of clip 18 when the two are engaged.

The clip 18 really is formed of two legs, with the short connecting legbeing bent back upon the first leg which forms the main body of theclip. The legs or panels, therefore, have a bight 46 therebetween. Thelong leg is affixed to prop 14 by rivets 40 through openings 42. Theshort connector leg includes a convex bearing surface 48 protrudingtowards the main body of the clip, a second convex surface 50 with itsuppermost surface spaced a small distance from the main panel or bodyportion of the clip, and an intermediate generally concave surface 52.The convex surface 48 closest to bight 46 pivots on the central portionof concave bearing surface 30 on swivel plate 16. The width of clip 18is slightly less than the width of slot 32, so that the concave surface52 and the projecting convex portion 50 can protrude through the slotwhen the elements are interengaged.

. a I Actually, convex surface 543- could be terminated at its uppermostpeak closest to the main body portionof the clip, since its mainfunction is to retain the pa'rts in engagement as explained hereinafter.However, the flared edge of this convex portion, creating an outwardlydivergent gap, facilitates simple engagement ofthe parts,

since the forward edge of curved portion 29. may be" more readily slidinto the gap between these two legs-of the clip.

Actually, the slot 32 could with link .16 being narrow enough to fitwithin the slot. This would be an equivalent structure.

To prevent accidental disassembly of the parts, e.g.

when the entire assembly is lifted by grasping the prop curved arcuateportion. 29 readily slips over the convex surface. 50 until it reaches"the position illustrated in FIG. 3. At this point, there is insufficientspacing be-. tween the two legs of the clip for the projecting arcuateportion of the plate to slide therein. With application of a slightamount of force, the'clip is resiliently de-,

formed about its bight to spread the legs thereof and allow the arcuatebearing surface to readily'snap into engagement so that concave surface30 then fits smoothly over convex surface 48. These surfaces haveapproximately the same curvature. has an arcuate dimension between edge33 of opening 32 and forward edge 31 smaller than the arcuate dimensionof convex surface 48 between the bight and the bot- 7 tom of concavity52, the two components can bearcuately moved in bearing engagement witheach other from the position illustrated in FIG. 1 to that illustratedin FIG. 2. This allows prop 14 to be extended or collapsed on the frame.assembled, since, in order to disassemble it, the two components must beforced out of engagement with deformation of the bight to spread thelegs of clip 18.

Ordinarily, when the prop is fully extended, its upper edge abuts theback plate 12 of the frame to serve as a.

stop. Alternatively, if desired, a stop may be formed, by causingupper'edge 33 (FIG. 4) of opening 32 to contact the concave surface52 toprevent further rotation. Thus, the device has an inherent stop meanswhich limits the extension of the prop.

The structural components of this connection can be formed byconventional progressive die-forming techniques, in a relativelyinexpensive manner.

are needed. The elements are easily assembled and disassembled .with asimple snap, to enable the structure to be used with a prop or to behung ona wall. When hung on the wall, the'prop does not interfere since.it is removed.

One important feature is the rotational feature of the prop on the backplate, achieved with this unique easel back. The easel may be placedvertically or horizontally merely by rotating swivel plate 16, clip 18and prop 14 around the pivotal point 20. In both positions, it has astop means. The structure thus has great versatility, as well asaesthetic appeal and structural simplicity.

It will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in they art that thedetailed structural features on the link components may be interchangedwithin the broader aspects of this invention. Also, the structuraldetails may be modified somewhat to cause either component to be widerthan the other to' straddle it for connection, all within be provided inlink 18,

Since the concave surface:

The connectioncannot accidentally become dis There are only twocomponents No delicate hinge parts or pins' 4 the principles taught.These obviousmodifications are, therefore, deemed to be part of thisinvention, which is not to be limited to the illustrative form shown,but only by the scope of the appended claims and the reasonablyequivalent structures to those defined therein.

We claim: a

' .1. An easel back including a back plate, anda prop;

a connection betweensaid plate and prop allowing prop extension andcoll'apsepincluding a first link attached to one of said plate andpropand havinga horizontally elongated convex surface, a second linkattached to the other of said. plate and prop and havingv a horizontallyelongated concaveysurface .interfitting on said convex surface; saidconcave surface having a smaller arcuate length thanthat of said convexsurface allowing arcuate movement the'rebetween for collapsing andextending of.

said prop with respectt'o said frame.

2. The easel back inqclaim 1 wherein said linkhas two legs with a bighttherebetween, one leg being attached to one of said plate and prop andthe second leg having said convex surface, and wherein the portionofsaid second link including the concave surface isnormally trapped inanengagement between said legs. 3. The easelcback in claim -2 wherein saidfirst and second leg can be resiliently spread by temporary deformationof said bight to release said first and second links fromtheirinterfitting engagement.

. 4. An easel back comprising a back plate and a prop,-

I a connection between said plate and propallowing prop extension andcollapse, incn1ding a first link afiixed to said prop. and having anelongatedconvex bearing surface, a second link afiixed to the back plateand having an elongated concave surface slidingly interfitting with saidconvex surface; said concave and convex surfaces having a slidinginterfit allowing sliding movement therebetween for. collapsing andextending of said prop with respect to said back plate; and ,said secondlink( being afiixed to said back plate on a pivotal axis to rotate atleast 90 with respect to said frame, whereby :said collapsible prop canbe rotated with respect to said back plate for use of' said easel backin either of two alternate positions.

5. An easel back comprising a back. plate and prop, and a pair ofconnecting links mounted to respective ones of said back plate and prop,and being interengaged with a sliding fit allowing arcuate movementtherebetween andv thus between said prop and back plate for propextension; one of said links receivingsaid other link in a groove toform the interengagementwhichis normally inseparable; saidone linkbeingresiliently temporarily deformable to release said other link with asnap action allowing separation of the: links and ofthe back plate andprop when desired.

6. An easel back comprising a backplate and aprop, a connection betweensaid-back plate and prop allowing prop extension and collapse; saidconnection formed from a plate anda clip; said plate being'affixed tothe back plate and having an elongated upper edge portion projectingaway from said back plate to forma bearing surface and a receiving gapbetween it and said back plate; said clip being. affixed to said'propand having its upperportion bent-back to form a bight,:and having anadjacent elongated arcuate surface interfitting with said edge portionin an arcuate sliding relationship for extenment and re-engagement ofthe interfit as desired.

9. An easel back comprising, a back plate and a prop, a connectionbetween said back plate and prop allowing prop extension and collapse;said connection formed from a plate and a clip; said plate being aflixedto the back of said back plate and having an elongated upper edgeportion projecting away from said back plate and curving arcuately backtoward said back plate but terminating short of it to form aVertically-arcuate, horizontally-elongated concave bearing surface andan adjacent receiving gap; said clip being affixed to said prop andhaving its upper portion bent back to form a bight and a short leghaving an adjacent elongated arcuate surtace'interfitting with saidbearing surface in an arcuate sliding relationship for extension andcollapse of said prop; one of said plate and clip having a width greaterthan the other, and having an opening at the base, of its arcuatesurface of a width slightly greater than that of the other of said plateand clip to allow interfitting of said plate and clip; and a portion ofsaid bent back clip portion being closely spaced from the main body ofsaid clip to normally retain said interfit.

10. The easel back in claim 9 wherein said clip includes a protrusionextending beneath said interfitting arcuate surface and bearing surfaceto prevent disassenibly without spreading of said clip portion and body.

11 An easel back comprising, a back plate and a prop, a swing connectionbetween said back plate and prop allowing prop extension and collapse;said connection formed from a plate and a clip; said plate beingpivotally atfixed to the back plate and having an elongated upper edgeportion projecting away from said back plate and curving arcuately backtoward said back plate but terminating short of it to form avertically-arcuate, horizontally-elongated concave bearing surface andan adjacent gap; said clip being affixed to said prop and having itsupper portion bent back upon itself to form a short leg and a bight,said short leg having a pair of adjacent, convex, arcuate curves, withthe one curve closest said bight slidably engaged with said concaveplate surface for extension and collapse of said prop, and the othercurve closest the terminal edge of said short leg serving to normallyretain said surfaces in engagement; one of said plate and clip having awidth greater than the other, and having an opening at the base of itsarcuate surface of a width slightly greater than that of the other ofsaid plate and clip to allow interfitting of said plate and clip; and aportion of said bent back clip portion being closely spaced from themain body of said clip to normally retain said interfit.

12. The easel back in claim 11 wherein said short leg may be temporarilyspread away from the remainder of said clip by resilient deformation atsaid bight for reception of said upper edge portion, and releasethereof.

13. An easel back for a picture frame comprising a rectangular panel anda prop; a connecting joint between said panel and prop; said jointincluding a first link attached to said panel and a second link attachedto said prop; said links having cooperatively engaged convex and concavesurfaces therebetween providing prop extension capacity; and said firstlink being attached to said panel with a pivotal connector, allowingrotation of said prop with respect to said panel for horizontal andvertical positioning.

14. An easel back comprising: a back plate, a prop, and a pair ofconnecting links attached respectively to said back plate and prop; oneof said links having two legs and a bight and being temporarilyresiliently deformable to allow said legs to be spread for reception ofthe other link; said links having interfitting convex and concaveportions; and said link having said two legs including a protrusionadjacent said interfitting convex and concave portions to preventdisassembly therebetween.

References Cited by the Examiner UNlTED STATES PATENTS 940,472 11/09Oldenbusch 24837 1,177,233 3/16 Cutler 248-37 2,228,806 1/41 Anderson248- X CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

1. AN EASEL BACK INCLUDING A BACK PLATE, AND A PROP; A CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID PLATE AND PROP ALLOWING PROP EXTENSION AND A COLLAPSE, INCLUDING A FIRST LINK ATTACHED TO ONE OF SAID PLATE AND PROP AND HAVING A HORIZONTALLY ELONGATED CONVEX SURFACE, A SECOND LINK ATTACHED TO THE OTHER OF SAID PLATE AND PROP AND HAVING A HORIZONTALLY ELONGATED CONCAVE SURFACE INTERFITTING ON SAID CONVEX SURFACE; SAID CONCAVE SURFACE HAVING A SMALLER ARCUATE LENGTH THAN THAT OF SAID CONVEX SURRACE ALLOWING ARCUATE MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN FOR COLLAPSING AND EXTENDING OF SAID PROP WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME. 